Thursday was World Youth Skills Day. What does this have to do with in-home care, you ask? Well, pursuing a career in care, or working as a caregiver while pursuing other goals like university or TAFE study, or raising a family, could be the best decision you ever make.

With Australia's ageing population, we are going to need a lot more carers. As the proportion of the population aged 70+ increases, the pressure on families to provide long term care for ageing parents will increase dramatically, opening employment opportunities for caregivers Australia-wide.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that from 1999 to 2019, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 12.3% to 15.9%. This group is projected to increase more rapidly over the next decade, as further cohorts of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) turn 65.

More recent data from IBISWorld forecasts that the Australian population aged 70 and older will increase 2.6% during 2020-21, to reach 3,006,716 people. This growth is significantly higher than the overall population growth, a trend that is indicative of Australia’s ageing population. IBISWorld expects the proportion of baby boomers relative to the total population to increase from 5.3% in 1970-71 to 11.7% in 2020-21.

IBISWorld reports that the following six industries will be impacted the most by our ageing population:

1. Aged Care Residential Services
2. Other Health Services
3. Community Services
4. Biotechnology
5. Psychiatric Hospitals
6. Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries

The Australian Government's 2017 home care reforms made consumer-directed care and income testing a priority, allowing individuals to choose who provides their care when they need it. The reforms, along with our ageing population, have given consumers more opportunities to receive better care at home.

Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the government's May budget revealed a $17.7 billion spend for the industry, with an extra 80,000 home care packages provided over the next two years. More than 275,000 home care packages are said to be available to senior Australians by 2023. As more people receive government Home Care Packages assistance, the greater demand for in-home care professionals becomes.

So, who is going to provide this care?

This is where young Australians come in.

The May budget has allotted $650 million to help grow and upskill the aged care workforce, with an additional 33,800 training places to be created over two years for personal care workers.

If you feel that you have the following qualities, you should consider becoming a caregiver to help our most vulnerable Australians.

Qualities that make the best caregivers:

• Outstanding character
• Connects well with people
• Community influencer
• Pursues professional development
• Strong team spirit

To learn more about caregiving with Right at Home, visit our For Caregivers page or give us a call on 1300 363 802. If you are looking for work right now, visit our Employment Opportunities page. 

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links:

Australian Government Department of Health

Victorian Health and Human Services

NSW Health

Queensland Health

ACT Health

WA Department of Health

Tasmanian Department of Health

Northern Territory Department of Health

SA Health

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government-approved, home care provider for levels 1-4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one.

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website.

Right at Home Offices in Australia: Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Upper North Shore; Sydney Central and Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Norwest; Sydney The Hills; Padstow St George; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Hunter & Port Stephens; Southern NSW; Toowoomba- Darling Downs; Sunshine Coast and Gympie; Mackay; Central Queensland; Townsville; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast South; Gold Coast North; Northern Rivers; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane South; Brisbane North; Brisbane West; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast: Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Moreton Bay Region; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Ryde; Greater Logan